Folding table and seat support structure

ABSTRACT

A folding table has a support structure including inner end frames and outer end frames pivotally secured near the inner and outer ends of a pair of table tops hinged together at their respective inner ends. The inner end frames are suspended above the floor, while the outer end frames carry casters for engaging the floor during folding and while folded, and both sets of frames include elbows or end portions which extend laterally outwardly from both sides of the table tops. Seating structures are pivotally mounted on each side of each table top on the lateral end portions of the inner end outer frames on corresponding sides of the table tops. Each seating structure includes a unitary member which provides longitudinal seating strength and has means for pivotally receiving the respective end portions at the inner end and outer end of the table tops. The unitary members preferably engage the floor only when the table is in the operative position, providing a total supporting function, but lift off the floor when the table is moved toward the folded position when the casters engage the floor and provide the total supporting function.

United States Patent Gerken et al.

[ Feb. 6, 1973 Inventors: Carl F. Gerken, New Castle; Em-

mett R. Bales, New Manchester, both of 1nd.

American Standard Inc., New York,

Filed: Feb. 2, 1971 App1.No.: 111,863

[73] Assignee:

[56] References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS Bue ..297/159 Wilson..,..297/159 Wilson ..297/159 Tringali et a1. ..297/159 OTHERPUBLICATIONS Hamilton Manufacturing Co.; Publication; Copyright 1966;Pages 8 and 9.

Primary Examiner.lames T. McCall Attorney-Marechal, Biebel, French &Bugg 5 7 ABSTRACT A folding table has a support structure includinginner end frames and outer end frames pivotally secured near the innerand outer ends of a pair of table tops hinged together at theirrespective inner ends. The inner end frames are suspended above thefloor, while the outer end frames carry casters for engaging the floorduring folding and while folded, and both sets of frames include elbowsor end portions which extend laterally outwardly from both sides of thetable tops. Seating structures are pivotally mounted on each side ofeach table top on the lateral end portions of the inner end outer frameson corresponding sides of the table tops. Each seating structureincludes a unitary member which provides longitudinal seating strengthand has means for pivotally receiving the respective end portions at theinner end and outer end of the table tops. The unitary memberspreferably engage the floor only when the table is in the operativeposition, providing a total supporting function, but lift off the floorwhen the table is moved toward the folded position when thecastersengage the floor and provide the total supporting function.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 6 I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 FOLDINGTABLE AND SEAT SUPPORT STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tions inwhich they occupy very little floor space and 0 are well suited. forschool lunchrooms and the like. It has also been recognized that foldingseating assemblies may be pivotally attached to the table to eliminatethe necessity of storing chairs and the like separately from the table.The first such table and seating assemblies were supported by a centerleg or support structure and by outer end legs. See U.S. Pat. Nos.2,878,859 of 1959; 2,992,043 of 1961; 3,034,842 of 1962; 3,079,197 of1963 and 3,112,954 of 1963. The seating surfaces in all of these patentswere benches.

A folding table with individual seating elements is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,055,705 of 1962. Further tables using individual seatingelements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,075,809 of 1963; 3,099,481 of1963; 3,337,262 of 1967; and 3,511,532 of 1970.

The support structures of the above prior art devices are generallyrelatively complex and require a considerable number of parts, or aredesigned for a special purpose. The seating structure in U.S. Pat. No.3,055,705, for example, supports individual seats on individual legs,and the legs are especially adapted to remain in their verticalpositions as the table is folded. Because the individual legs areattached to individual connecting members at positions laterallyspacedfrom the table top, the legs in this construction are apt tobecome misaligned through use and, accordingly, the overall strength ofthis construction is not as rigid as is desirable. The seatingstructures in the other patents all require a center leg or post forstability, and this feature adds unnecessary parts and contributes tothe complexity of the table construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a foldingtable and seat combination having an improved support structure for theseats. The structure has the desired properties of being strong,consisting of a minimum of parts, and having rigidity by virtue of theseating elements being linked together, and at the same time havingstability without the necessity of a center leg or post.

In general, the support structure includes inner end frames and outerend frames pivotally secured near the respective inner and outer ends ofa pair of table tops which are hinged together at their respective innerends. The inner end frames are suspended on the table top abovethefloor, while the outer end frames carry casters for engaging thefloor, and both sets of frames include elbows or end portions whichextend laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the table tops. Rigidinterconnecting seating structures are pivotally mounted on each side ofeach table top on the lateral end portions of the inner and outer endframes on corresponding sides of the table tops. Each seating structureincludes a unitary member which provides longitudinal seating strengthand has means for pivotally receiving the respective end portions at theinner and outer ends ofthe table tops.

The unitary member is preferably a U-shaped tube which has a horizontalportion and which defines vertical legs, one or more verticalintermediate legs may also be formed on the tube. The spaced endportions of the inner and outer end frames are pivotally connected tothe end legs of the tube. The legs of the unitary members are adapted toreceive individual seats, half benches or full benches, whichever isdesired. The horizontal seating of the table engages the floor when thetable is in its horizontal open position to provide a total seat andtable supporting function when the table is in this position.

The outer end frames carry casters which are preferably supported ashort distance above the floor when the table is in its operativeposition, but which engage the floor as the table is moved toward thefolded position. As this folding movement occurs, the unitary membersand accompanying seating structure lift from the floor, and the castersand outer end frames assume a total supporting function.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved foldingtable with attached seat structure which is readily adapted forindividual seats, half benches, or full benches.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding table andseat structure, as outlined above, of simplified construction andreliable operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description, the accompanying drawings and theappended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a foldingtable with the support structure of the present invention shown inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1, with oneside thereof partially broken away;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the folding table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner end frames and cross-bars withthe table tops removed and some parts being broken away; I

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer end frame, with the table topand some of the cross-members being exploded and partially broken away;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the folding of FIG. 1 shown in foldedposition;

FIG. 7 is a side view partially broken away, of a second seatingstructure; and

FIG. 8 is a side view, partially broken away, of a third seatingstructure.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, afoldingtable 10, as for example a folding table with a seating structureincludes a pair of flat rectangular table tops 11 and 12 each of whichis mounted on a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing members 13and 14. The table tops 11 and welded to the ends of the bars and locatedwithin opposing channels 19 in the members 13 and 14. The table tops arehinged together by two pairs of hinge links and 21 which are welded tothe bars 16 and 17 and are pivoted on horizontally aligned pivot pins22'. The hinges defined by the hinge links 20 and 21 and the pins 22enable the table tops to be folded between the horizontal extendedposition shown in FIG. 1 and the vertical closed position shown in FIG.6, by pivotal movement on the axis of the pins 22.

In accordance with the present invention, the supporting structure 15for the tops 11 and 12 comprises (FIG. 2) a pair of inner end frames 25which depend from the respective table tops and are suspended above thefloor, and a corresponding pair of outer end frames 26 which depend fromthe table tops and are adapted to engage the floor during folding andwhile in the folded position. Each inner end frame 25 comprises a pairof spaced apart metal tubes 27 (FIG. 4) having vertical sections 28 andlaterally outwardly extending, generally S-shaped inner sections orelbows 30; The vertical sections 28 are braced by horizontal bracemembers 31, and are connected at their upper ends to inner hinge members32 pivotally connected at each end to brackets 33 located in opposingchannels 19 in the reinforcing members 13 and 14. The S-shaped sectionsor elbows 30 terminate in horizontal, generally laterally extendingswivel end portions 34.

Each outer end frame 26 has a C-shaped base member 35 (FIG. 5) whichlies generally in a horizontal plane and has outwardly extending legportions 36 and floor engageable means comprising a pair of casters 37at the ends thereof. The base members 35 support a pair of transverselyspaced apart L-shaped metal tubes 38 (FIG. 3) having vertical sections40 and horizontal sections 42. The vertical sections 40, like those ofthe inner end frames, are braced by horizontal brace mem bers 44 and areconnected at their upper ends to outer hinge members 46, also pivotallyconnected at each end to brackets 58 also located in the channels 19formed by the reinforcing members 13 and 14. The

horizontal sections 42 are welded or otherwise fixed along the uppersurface of base member 36.

The outer end frames 26 further include a pair of generally L-shapedouter elbows 50. The elbows 50 have vertical portions 52 attached to theupper surface of the base member 35 and horizontal, generally laterallyoutwardly extending swivel portions 54. The swivel portions 54 of theouter end frames 26 cooperate with the swivel end portions 34 of theinner end frames 25 to receive unitary rigid seating structures on eachside of each table top. The seating structures may take various forms,depending on the type of seating desired, and several embodiments aredescribed hereinafter.

To facilitate folding movement of the respective table tops 11 and 12,torsion bar assemblies 55 (FIGS. 4 and S) are connected between thereinforcing members 13 and 14 in proximate relation with both the 4inner and outer hinge members 32 and 46. Such assemblies 55 areessentially the same as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,080,834,assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and include atorsion bar 56 of hexagonal cross-section fitted within a torsion tube57. One end of the torsion bar 56 is secured in a hexagonal opening (notshown) in one end of the torsion tube 57, and the other end of thetorsion bar 56 is secured in a hexagonal opening (not shown) in thebracket 58 located in one of the channels of reinforcing members, shownin FIG. 5 as member 14. The end of the torsion bar 56 secured within thebracket 58 is therefore held against rotation with respect to thereinforcing member 14, and the end secured within the hexagonal openingin the torsion tube 57 is held against rotation with respect to thetorsion tubes.

The torsion tubes 57 are connected to the hinge members 32 and 46through pairs of linkages 59. The linkages 59 are pivotally connected todownwardly extending levers 60 and 62 rigidly connected to the torsiontubes 57 and hinge members 32 and 46 respectively. A bend 63 is providedin each linkage member 59 to accommodate the hinge members 32 and 46when the table is folded in its closed position.

The inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 of each table are alsointerconnected with the opposite table top to insure that the outerframes 26 maintain their relative positions to each other during foldingand unfolding movement. Referring to the drawings, longitudinallyextending operator links 64 are connected between the inner bracemembers 31 and the outer brace members 44 by levers 65 and 66respectively. Each of the levers 65 and 66 is rigidly connected to abrace member at one end, and is pivotally connected to the correspondinglink 64 at the other end. Downwardly extending levers 68 FIG. 4 arerigidly connected at their upper ends to the cross bars 16 and 17 andare pivotally connected to connecting links 70 at their lower ends. Theconnecting links 70 extend diagonally downwardly and are pivotallyconnected to the inner end levers 65 of the opposite table top, andpivotally maintain the respective inner and outer end frames 25 and 26in predetermined relation as the table tops are moved.

The arrangement described above enables the relative pivotal movement ofthe hinge members 32 with respect to the table tops to be transmitted tothe torsion tube 57 by means of the linkages 59. The same is true ofhinge members 46. Thus, when the table is unfolded, the torsion tubes 57are pivoted by the. movement of the table top 11, causing energy to bestored in the torsion bars as the end of the torsion bars secured withinthe torsion tubes are twisted with respect to the other ends securedwithin the reinforcing members 13 and 14. This stored energy exerts acounter torque on the torsion tubes 57 which, when the center of thetable is lifted from the position shown vin FIG. 1, is transmittedthrough the linkages 59 to the hinge members 32 and 46 through frames 25and 26, levers 65 and 66, links 64 and 70, levers 68, tubes 16 and 17and brackets 18 to the reinforcing members 13 and 14 attached to theopposite table top to exert a force tending to assist folding of thetable to the closed position.

A unitary seating structure is mounted on each side of each table top 11and 12. A first preferred embodiment 72 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 andincludes a U-shaped 'tube 73 having a horizontal portion 74 adapted torun longitudinally along the floor when the table is in its horizontalopen position and two vertical extensions or end-posts 75. A third post76 is attached to the top of the horizontal portion 74 midway betweenthe endposts 75. Flat metal plates 77 are welded to the tops of theposts 75 and 76 and each forms an individual pedestal and supports andindividual seat 78 thereon. Leveling glides 79 are attached to thebottom edge of the tube 73 below the respective seats 78, and areadapted to engage the floor.

A second preferred embodiment 80 is shown in FIG. 7 and includes aninverted U-shaped tube 81 having a horizontal portion 82 and a pair ofvertical legs 83 provided with leveling glides 84 for engaging thefloor. A bench 85 extends substantially the full length of the table topand is secured to two flat metal plates 86, and the plates 86 aresecured to the top surface of the horizontal portion 82 by welding atpoints 87.

A third seating structure 88 is shown in FIG. 8 and includes a U-shapedtube 90 having a horizontal portion 91 which runs along the floor andtwo vertical extensions or end-posts 92. Two additional posts 93 areintermediately spaced between the end-posts 92 and are attached to thetop surface of the horizontal portion 91. As in the first seatingstructure 72, flat metal plates 94 are welded to the tops of the posts92 and 93 in the same horizontal plane. I-Iere, however, half-benches 95are mounted on the plates 94 of each post 92 and its cooperatingintermediate post 93. Also, as in the other structures, leveling glides96 for engaging the floor are connected to the bottom edge of thehorizontal portion 91.

Each of the seating structures 72, 80 and 88 also includes a pair ofhorizontal and laterally extending swivel cylinders 98 and 100 welded tothe bottom surfaces of the metal plates adjacent the inner and outer endframes 25 and 26 respectively. The swivel cylinders 98 and 100 receiveand retain the swivel end portions 34 and 54, respectively, and providefor pivotal movement of the seating structures as the table is movedbetween its open and closed positions.

The seating structures 72, 80 and 88 are preferably adapted to supportthe entire load, including the weight of the table and the weight ofpersons sitting on the seats, bench, or half-benches, when the table isin its operative open position. When in the open position shown in FIG.1, the bottoms of the casters 37 are above the bottoms of the levelingglides 79 a short vertical distance, on the order of one-eighth tothree-sixteenths inch, and the casters are out of contact with thefloor. The casters 37 do not provide a supporting function, and theweight of the table 10 and any materials resting on the table tops 11and 12 is transmitted to the seating structures through the inner andouter end frames 25 and 26.

The casters 37 engage the floor only after the center of the table ismoved upwardly as the table is being moved to its closed position. Asthe table tops 11 and 12 continue to move toward their fully closedposition (FIG. 6), the seating structures pivot on the swivel portions34 and 54 and the leveling glides lift out of contact with the floor.Then and only then, the outer end frames 26 assume a supportingfunction, and the spring pressure exerted by the torsion bar assemblies55 urges the table tops and support structure toward and with manualassistance the table reaches its fully closed position.

Since the table 10 is adapted to fold into the compact form shown inFIG. 6, the end-posts 75 and the centerposts 76 of the seatingstructures 72 (FIG. 2) are displaced laterally with respect to the flatplates 77. The displacement, shown as laterally forwardly (with respectto FIG. 1) on the left side of the table 10 and laterally rearwardly onthe right side of the table 10, is sufficient to enable the posts tointerleave as shown in FIG. 6, the leveling glides 79 of the structureon the left side of the table 10 nearly touch the bottom surfaces of themetal plates 77, thereby enabling interleaving to be accomplished to aconsiderable degree.

The pivotal arrangement of the inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 withrespect to their respective table tops 11 or 12, and the pivotalrelation of these end frames with the seating structure comprises, ineffect, a parallelogram for the reason that the longitudinal spacingbetween the pivots defined by the cylinders 98 and 100 is the same asthat defined between the hinge members 32 and 46. Accordingly, infolding, the individual seats 78 remain parallel with their respectivetops but move to positions in which the seats are elevated above thetops when folded, as shown in FIG. 6, while the U- shaped frame members73 defining the legs interleave alongside of each other, thus forming ahighly compact folded arrangement. Further, the base members 35 whichexclusively support the table in the folded position are formed withlaterally outwardly extending leg portions 36, as best shown in FIGS. 5and 6, which provide stability for the table in the folded position onthe casters 37.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it is apparentthat the present invention provides improved features and advantages.

The table of the present invention is characterized by the fact that itis a highly versatile construction. As mentioned above, the basicstructure is readily adapted for the attachment of varying types ofseats as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the structure ofFIG. 8 may readily be modified by the use ofa continuous bench in lieuof the split bench 95. Further, the individual posts 92 and 93 may bereadily provided with supportplates 77 and individual stools or seats78, as desired. Accordingly, the structure of FIG. 8 thus defines aseating arrangement in which 16 individual seats may be provided at thefolded table, and the structure may be readily modified on order foreither bench, split bench, or individual seats, as desired.

A further advantage of the construction of the present invention-residesin the fact that when the table is in use, the weight of the personseated at the table and that of the table itself is transmitted to thefloor exclusively by the rigid unitary seating structure 72, and notprimarily by the folding leg structure.

The centers of the table tops are supported, not by a center leg orpost, but by the seating structures which receive the load as it istransmitted through the end portions of the inner and outer frames.Accordingly, this construction permits'a design which has an economy offunction and parts and yet one which is sturdyand reliable in operation.

The end portions-are suspended above the floor and are received withinswivel cylinders rigidly secured to the unitary member of the seatingstructure. This provides longitudinal seating strength, and convenientlyenables the seating structures to be interleaved to a considerabledegree whentfolded.

The outer end frames are also preferably adapted to engage the flooronly after the table is moved to its folded condition. This enables theseating structures to provide a total supporting function when the tableis in its operative position, thereby improving the stability of thetable and taking the heavy loads away from the outer end frames.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a table of the type which includes a pair of longitudinal tabletops hinged together at their respective inner ends and adapted to bemoved between a horizontal extended position and a vertical foldedposition, an improved support structure for said table compl'lSlIlgI apair of vertical inner end frames having upper ends and lower ends, eachpivotally connected at its upper end to the inner end of a differenttable top and including a pair of opposite elbows at its lower endsuspended laterally outwardly of the table and above the floor,

a pair of vertical outer end frames having upper ends unitary seatingstructures for each side of each table top, each having inner and outerends and spaced at short lateral distance from its table top, and

means pivotally mounting said seating structures at their inner andouter ends on said suspended inner and outer elbows,

said seating structures having floor engageable means for engaging thefloor when said table is in its extended position and providing a totalsupporting function when in such position so that said floor engageablemeans on said outer end frames engage the floor and provide a totalsupporting function only after said table is moved from its extendedposition toward said folded position.

1. In a table of the type which includes a pair of longitudinal tabletops hinged together at their respective inner ends and adapted to bemoved between a horizontal extended position and a vertical foldedposition, an improved support structure for said table comprising: apair of vertical inner end frames having upper ends and lower ends, eachpivotally connected at its upper end to the inner end of a differenttable top and including a pair of opposite elbows at its lower endsuspended laterally outwardly of the table and above the floor, a pairof vertical outer end frames having upper ends and lower ends, eachpivotally connected at its upper end to the outer end of a differenttable top and having a pair of floor engageable means at its lower endspaced a short distance from the floor when said table is in itsextended position, each said outer frame also including a pair ofopposite elbows attached to its lower end and suspended laterallyoutwardly of the table and above the floor, unitary seating structuresfor each side of each table top, each having inner and outer ends andspaced a short lateral distance from its table top, and means pivotallymounting said seating structures at their inner and outer ends on saidsuspended inner and outer elbows, said seating structures having floorengageable means for engaging the floor when said table is in itsextended positIon and providing a total supporting function when in suchposition so that said floor engageable means on said outer end framesengage the floor and provide a total supporting function only after saidtable is moved from its extended position toward said folded position.